We are just days away from the Reflections of Evil Trading Event which takes places at Epcot in Walt Disney World and will see previews of Vinylmation for the year ahead. I thought just before we get into this event, I would go back a year to last years Mickey’s Circus event.

At least years event we got previews of loads of new figures for 2012/2013 including Classic Collection, Pixar, Haunted Mansion, Animation 3, Urban Redux, Goofy Candy Co, Jr’s in Space, Mechanical Kingdom, Park 11, Muppets 3, Poster Art, Cutesters En Vogue, Star Wars 3, Monsters University, Popcorns and lots more. Even some of the Disney Store stuff like Nursery Rhymes, Robots 3, Zooper Heroes and Myths/Legends got shown off at the event, so I hope we get a few previews of their new lines as well for 2014.

There have been many releases in 2013 that we didn’t see at the event which included the Disney Store’s Whiskers & Tails, High School, Little Mermaid, Wild West, Behind the Masks 1 & 2 plus Beauty and the Beast and Park 12 plus lots more. Which shows that while we will learn a lot about future releases for the year ahead, we won’t know everything and they can still surprise us with something new and fresh. Vinylmation is in the middle of a change and while some of those changes got previewed such as the Urban Redux smaller series, but some of the changes are still slowly kicking in just weeks before Villains.

Seeing pictures of the new releases at Mickey’s Circus was a great way of getting an idea of what the next year is going to bring and how I was going to collect, I knew some sets I would be interested in and others I wouldn’t be, planning is everything and knowing a big set that I want is coming out means I can get some cash together to buy them, so last years Mickey’s Circus got me ready for things like Animation 3 and Pixar, plus I knew a Muppets 3 and Star Wars 3 would be out in the summer.

There have been a few items that got previewed as last years event we haven’t yet seen released including the Pixar 95 Series and the Princess mold. We also heard about a new series on the Minnie Mold which hasn’t yet appeared and many of the release dates got pushed back from those announced at the event including Animation 3 and Muppets 3. Its important to note that some things will change from this weekends announcements but having a whole year laid out in advance is a great way to get word out to collectors about what to expect. I only wish they would at least put some of this information up on their own official website, the usual “Subject to Change” tag line should obviously be applied, but having a sneak peek at these images isn’t going to hurt, especially as they are only really informing people who already know about Vinylmation at the event, rather than your average Joe who popped Vinylmation into Google.

A year on from the event and its going to be interesting to see how this event compares to the Villains event and I can’t wait to hear what people’s experiences are, I know I’m extremely jealous of all those in attendance and I hope Villains 13 is just as successful as Mickey’s Circus.

This edition of “Hits and Misses” is a special Mickey Circus themed version where members of the Kingdom have given their “Hits” and “Misses” from the event. Unlike in the normal “Hits and Misses” we are focusing on a series as a whole rather than individual vinyls.

Hits

RogPalmerUK – There was so many new releases announced at Mickey’s Circus, picking just my favourite 3 isn’t going to be easy, but off the top of my head I’m excited about Popcorns, 2013 and Pixar. I decided not to pick one of my favourite series “Star Wars 3” since they didn’t really show us a lot more than they did at Celebration Vi. I could have easily added Muppets 3, Haunted Mansion or Animation 3 to this list too, but that’s the rules.

My first pick is the 2013 series since I like the overall design of many from the series and how they are going about releasing them over the entire year as well as making them a limited edition, this is a great way of doing something new and fresh that will be much more exciting than just the usual 4 yearly offerings. The Pixar series looks very interesting to me since in the past decade, Pixar has become the main source of new movies and characters, with a whole generation growing up with these characters and probably more importantly, have some fantastic designs such as the Alien Toy Story 3 pack and Bug’s Life Tuck & Roll, this is going to be a very popular series. Finally my last choice is Popcorns, they just look so different and fresh. I am beyond the issues with different molds now, they have created so many different molds, its no longer a problem and I simply like the designs (Especially the Chip & Dale), while I’m not impressed with the $25 price tag, I’m going to be adding some of these to my collection.

JEP – First and Foremost it has to be Muppets Series 3. I honestly though that after how much Muppets Series 2 got marked down that there wouldn’t be another series. The five designs they have shown so far are great! If they include Reporter Kermit, Gonzo in his sweater vest and Walter in this series I will be very pleased.

My second hit is Animation 3. The Three Caballeros is one of my favorites and I am so happy to see that Panchito will soon be joining Jose from Series 2 on my shelf. The Fox and the Hound set is a must have!

My third hit which I am sure is a hit with everyone else is Pixar Series 1. It is about time they got around to this no brainer of a series! I usually don’t buy 9″/3″ combos, but Crush and Squirt is a must have set. It is also finally good to see a Mr. Incredible. Hopefully the rest of his family will join him in future series.

Arjaneelco – Overall I have to say that Mickey’s Circus was a huge succes.. I had some doubt when SDCC hit this year and at the time I felt they had shown so much already. Boy was I wrong, the amount of stuff they previewed and announced at Mickey’s Circus was incredible, mind blowing even. No doubt collectors will have to prioritize what to get but boy are there some awesome sets on the horizon.

My first hit is Animation 3. I love the Animation series as for me the most important thing in Disney collecting is the animatedmovies.. After all it’s what started it all. This series will also feature one of my all time favorite charaters : Robin Hood. They did not show him with his hat but I’ve read that he will get one. Fingers crossed they’ll give him a bow too! The other characters are great too, some really string ones like Panchito and the Todd & Copper set. My second hit is Pixar Series 1. Awesome designs, awesome choice of characters and really love the combo sets too. This is going to be such a popular series, I can only hope supply meets the demand.Vinylmation has a strong future with sets like this. My third hit is the Fantasia sets.It might not have been Disney’s biggest hit at the time but one very close to Walt heart and a classic in every right. Some iconic scenes and characters have been made into 2-pack, looking forward to them!

EPCOTPlu– First off, I must admit that my attitude about being interested in many upcoming series was to keep it at the bare minimum. I can see that after viewing all of the previews, the temptation is seriously beyond the roof. So many great blind box and open window sets – it was surprisingly difficult to select a few winners! After much debating, and considering what the others will likely choose as their hits, here are my hits:

1. Popcorns – For a kernel mold, despite the distorted shape, the execution is pretty darn flawless. Each are a unique mold that rather than being abominations, are creatively cute, pattering off the particular traits of each character (horns, ears, Muppet eyes, haunches). It’s like Park Starz 2.0, in a way. I have the feeling people will slowly warm up to the new mold sooner than most will assume… So can’t wait to purchase my Pluto from online!

2. Haunted Mansion – After years of patiently waiting, this series is finally hitting shelves in October, and it should certainly satisfy the numbers of HM fans. Great expressions, love the much-needed accessories (Gus has an actual ball!) and is IMO a worthwhile addition even if you get a few only. Hope Ezra finds his way into the set but not as a variant, BTW, rather odd to not see him yet Phineas and Gus are part of the set.

3. Classic Collection – The sleeper hit of a series so far, the cast of familiar and obscure Disney cartoon characters is personally a massive improvement from HAL. Each character’s endearing personality is captured really nicely on the canvas mold, and the accessories are a fun touch, like those goat horns. Will definitely be getting several bloxes in hopes of finding its amazing Oswald chaser in one…

Misses

RogPalmerUK – There was so many new releases shown to us at Mickey’s Circus, I did actually think “I can’t buy them all for cash and space reasons” and very quickly certain series became obvious that I wouldn’t buy them. For one, I hate Cutesters, so Cutester’s Vogue is a instant Miss to me, they might be popular for the girls but they aren’t for me, however I am pleased they are going onto a different mold. Another big miss for me is the new Urban Redux since I am not a big lover of the Urban series and I just don’t think the designs on this series are enough to blow me away considering they are apparently doing a reboot which looks to me like they have just made the cases smaller. And finally for my last choice I was a bit torn, as Robots 3, Myths and Legends as well as Zooper Heroes all just jumped out as weaker lines that a watering down the Vinylmation brand but I suppose my bigger Miss was Park 11 which is based on a park I’ve never visited and considering I’ve not completed Park 10 or 9 yet, instantly made me take a slight dislike to them (though I probably will still get them).

JEP – As for my Misses number one has to go to Zooper Heroes…. just why? These will probably sell just as well as Under the Big Top.

Miss 2 goes to Urban Redux Series 1. They don’t look different than past Urban series. Unless what they have planned special for this series is amazing these will just as well as past Urban series.

Miss 3 belongs to Cutesters Series 5 aka Cutesters in Vouge. The only reason I might would buy any of these is because of the Minnie Mouse mold.

Arjaneelco – My first miss is Urban Redux.The urban series has been in decline for quite some time and I guess the Vinylmation team acknowledged this and tried to set things right. Except the Redux part is unclear to me, instead they could have just called it Urban 10. I like the fact they want to try and fix it bit this is no better dan previous entries to be honest. Personally I think Urban can only be saved by outside names as has been vented on the forums before. The sentiment on the forums is that they need to look at what KidRobot is doing with their Dunny series. My second miss is Haunted Mansion. Of course I like the ride and I fully understand the fan following but the set overal does not excite me… I get the use of the clear vinyls but I think they’ve overdone it in this set. My third miss is Mechanical Kingdom. I didn’t like it when we first saw it at SDCC and I still don’t like it. I do like steampunk designs but these just look bland and I think that’s what’s troubling me most, the missed oppertunity. It could have been a great series taking it’s cues from the Mechanical Kingdom Pin series but yeah… a miss for me.

EPCOTPlu–

Alas, there were a select few based from the previews that really didn’t click.

1. Park 11 – Look, while I like the idea of California Adventure getting its own series, not a single design has truly attracted my attention so far. A lot of beautifully detailed vinyls but some are just so obscure that it’s near impossible to immediately recognize it’s from a park at first glance. Minnie and Genie are both fantastic, though my desire to get this isn’t as strong. And the Grizzly Peak 9” is surprisingly… bleh. Will have to wait and see the chaser.

2. 2013 Series – I like several vinyls here, as well as the idea it will be limited rather than hoarding shelves forever but… I can’t get past the clownish hats. It is as necessary as the bubble helmets in that I Heart Mickey set – it just isn’t. Most of the designs are borderline tacky anyway. It will be a tough sell except maybe certain ‘Villain’ inspired vinyls, notably Jack Skellington.

3. Urban Redux – While I give the VM team credit for trying to shake up things with a smaller case layout, adding variant ratios, two chasers and a mere set of 8, the designs aren’t so great. Face it, the reboot still retains the same, tired, random designs we have come to expect from Urbans for the sake of more VM sale profit. I can see myself not buy into the Urban series any longer, which is a shame since there were some great designs near the end of the original run.

The décor created for this event has always impressed me. This year, the display team used artwork from the event merchandise to create the circus-like atmosphere. My favorite things were the giant Ringmaster Mickey statue and the “Dumbo” scene found near a trading area.

Disney pin trading was the theme for Friday and Saturday, while Sunday was dedicated to Vinylmation. This annual event has turned into one big trading party with opportunities for guests to collect pins and Vinylmation from several unique trading activities, or to trade with each other in at massive trading area.

I loved seeing some of the unique one-of-a-kind Vinylmation figures created by several artists. I wish I had the talent to make something like the ones I saw.

More important to me was seeing many friends whom I’ve met over the years. I once again took a photo with Molly, a 94-year-old guest who has been attending this annual event for years. Seeing her and several others reminded me of how trading continues to bring people together.

If you missed this event, please mark your calendar for two merchandise events in 2013.

The first celebrates the 50th anniversary of my favorite attraction at Disneyland park – the Enchanted Tiki Room. This event will be held June 28-30, 2013, in California, and I cannot wait!

Then prepare for an appropriately themed Disney Villains event on September 13-15, 2013, at Epcot. How fortunate the event will start on Friday the 13th!

We first saw these back at Comic Con in July, but we got some more preview pictures of the Mechanical Kingdom series. These are set to be released on October 5th however Ludvig will be a online exclusive.

The vinyls just keep coming as we spotlight more vinyls previewed at the Mickey’s Circus Weekend, here is a quick look at Park 11 which is themed on the Disneyland California Adventure park and it will be out October 19th and will retail for $12.95. There is also a 9″ Grizzly bear which has a LE800 and apparently will be the only 9″ for this series.

With so much news coming in over the Mickey’s Circus Weekend, here is a quick look at Urban Redux #1 which is a reboot of the Urban series. They will be released in early 2013. Disney have taken a new approach to Urban as they will be sold in smaller cases of 16 bloxes with just 6 designs with more variants and a chaser.

With so much news coming in over the Mickey’s Circus Weekend, here is a quick look at the 2013 Series which will see the “yearly” series take a twist as every month their will be a new one with a special exclusive. Also there will be artist signings at D-Street every month with these releases and each vinyl will have a LE of just 2013.

With so much news coming in over the Mickey’s Circus Weekend, here is a quick look at the Cinderella 9″ which is available from September 17th at Disney Store/D-Street and is priced at $59.95. Also available is a 7 piece series which is out on the same day and will retail for $69.95.

Thanks to Sean Hasle for the pictures

Vinylmation Kingdom recently announced this set along with the other Cinderella set (Click Here)